For the music category, performances by family members are specifically excluded and ineligible for consideration. Although they were terrific and will likely be in the next post.

Best Casual Dining with DJs: Kid Koala and DJ Jester at Chili’s at 45th and Lamar, October 31, 2024. Followed by a visit to an arcade where my son took on all comers in a typing/zombie battling game. Other highlight: Kid Koala talking about Dan the Automator’s lost album between bites of baby back ribs. We followed up by attending the Storyville Mosquito, Kid Koala’s live animation/puppet show that was unlike any other performance I’d seen (or at least since the last Kid Koala show).

Best Weekend in Remote Compound in Rural Louisiana: Wacos at the Whirly, September 12 to 15. Exotic cocktails, cajun, creole, and insurgent country in an undisclosed location in the heart of the thicket. Renewed my appreciation for the music of the greater Wacoverse (Wacos, Bright Shiners, Deano & Jo) and introduced to considerable talent of the Lafayette and environs (Yvette Landry, The Revelers, Cedric Watson). And delicious food. Would do again, but maybe take the wife so Sally Timms doesn’t single me out as looking awkward and lonely.

Best Music vs. Back Pain Experience: Kamasi Washington at the Empire Control Room, May 17, 2024. Kamasi pulled what seemed to be a capacity crowd at the standing only, partially outdoors dance venue. On the positive side, excellent sound, soulful performance. On the negative side, kinda sweaty, could not move once the show started, and the legs and back started to give out before my desire to hear more.

Best Show to Hang Back and Let the Youth Have Their Thing: Snow Strippers with Club Eat, Empire Control Room, April 18, 2024. Escorted the boy to the all ages (but really only some ages) undergound dance with generally positive vibes. Good sound, and not so crowded that I couldn’t sneak away to the patio side and chill whilst the youth engaged in sweaty revelry.

Best Post Election Have a Beer and Don’t Think About Politics Show: Old 97s with Fastball at The Scoot Inn, November 7, 2024. Th prescription for my post-election malaise was a highly potent dosage of country rock administered directly to the forehead by experienced professionals. The show provided instant relief.